So Confused!!

Hi, I'm new to this forum and i am not sure sure if anyone can help but from what i have read on the site so far you give some really good advice.

I am 33 years old and was diagnosed back in Oct 2005 (and have not handled the news too well) and was initially told that i was type 2 (by diabetic nurse at my local GPs) and was put on metformin 500mg to start with and then increased to 1000mg. By Jan 06 i was put on insulin but also staying on the metformin. I then changed to Glucophage SR 1000mg in March 07. My doses of insulin have increased over this time and I am now on Novorapid 30 30 40 and levimir at night 56 (Which seems alot when i have read other posts on the forum) along with my Glucophage which was increased 3 weeks ago to 2000mg (which has ment a new friend...the loo!! I thought glucophage was supposed to be kinder to the stomach not sure i can put up with it for much longer!!) Since my diagnosis i have been told by some consultants (don't always see the same one at the hospital) that i am type 1 because i am on insulin and because my mum is also diabetic ( she was diagnosed about 20 years ago and was told to control it by diet....but was not monitored over the years, but since my diagnosis she went back to the doctors and has now been put on metformin) but then some say i am type 2 because i am overweight. At my recent appointment (3 weeks ago) a consultant i have never seen before was questioning me as to why i was put on insulin so soon after diagnosis (BS 18 at diagnosis) and to be honest i don't know why (It was all a bit of a blur for a while not sure i've got my head round it now with so much conflicting advice!!)

Sorry for going on a bit but i am very confused and after almost 3 years since my diagnosis i would like to find out if i am type 1 or 2 are there any tests that can determine what type you are?

Thankyou so much for replying so quickly and thanks chocoholic its nice to know that i am not on my own regarding whether i am type 1 or 2 and it is also encouring to know about the c-petide test which will finally determine this. I will be definitely be asking about the test when i see the consultant again in December.

Yes Ian i do test my blood sugar i was told to do it before each injection which is 4 times aday and since the increase in glucophage 3 weeks ago i have had fairly normal readings for the first time since diagnosis (4-8), I've had the odd reading over 10 which is not bad for me as they have usually been 10-23.

My Hba1c 3 weeks ago was 7.4 down from 7.6 back in January.

I now know from reading other posts that carbs is something i should cut down on alot more than i have done. I don't eat alot of potatoes or bread but i do eat alot of rice and pasta. I have seen a dietician on numerous occasions who keep telling me that they can't see anything wrong with my diet but there obviously is or i would be able too lose some weight and then hopefully reduce my insulin as i seem to be taking alot compared to others i have spoke to which also cannot be helping my weight. I also go swimming 2-3 times aweek and walk as much as possible as well as using the exercise bike at home but nothing seems to be working. I lost about 2 stone before i was diagnosed and have now put all that back on!! Any other tips from anyone would be really helpful. Thanks again!!